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Welcome home: Local marine returns from service in Afghanistan

BLACKFOOT — When Marine Lance Cpl. Cody Reed prepared to return home from Afghanistan, he told his mother, Jena, he didn’t expect much notice.
On Saturday Jena Reed and several members of the neighborhood and the community welcomed Cody home in style.
Bingham County Sheriff Dave Johnson, four Blackfoot firemen and city councilman Chris Jensen were among those who shook Cody’s hand and thanked him for his service.
So, too, were members of the American Legion Riders, veterans of the nation’s various wars who ride their motorcycles in parades in honor of their comrades. They paraded into town, flags flying.
“Being a Vietnam veteran (who were vilified when they returned from their war), we want to make sure these guys get their due,” said K. “Squid” Peterson, who was one of four from Twin Falls in the rain to participate in the rain. Approximately 20 motorcyclists participated.
Friends from his north Blackfoot neighborhood signed a large card and dropped by to let Cody know they care.
Cody is a member of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment which returned to Camp Pendleton, Calif., in April. He is a 2009 graduate of Blackfoot High School. He and his unit spent seven months in Afghanistan battling the Taliban. Cody said he lost friends during that fight.
“You’re angry,” he said of those deaths and injuries. “But you can’t really mourn for them until you get back because you’ve still got a job to do.”
Cody’s mother expressed pride in him and in his older brother Travis, who is serving in the U.S. Air Force.
Sheriff Johnson, fire captain Craig Stallings and Jensen all noted that they appreciated the opportunity to thank Cody for his service. They said they would do so for other service members if they were invited to do so.